Guo Min stirred awake, blinking several times as she adjusted to the soft lighting in the room, she lay there for a brief moment, enjoying the quiet.
She sat up wincing softly as a dull ache spread through her muscles.
The sound of running water stopped. A few moments later, the bathroom door opened, and Zihan stepped out wearing fresh clothes, a towel draped around his neck as he dried his damp hair.
"You've woken up?" he asked, noticing she was up.
"Mm." She stretched lightly before glancing at the clock. "The banquet starts soon. I should get ready." She pushed the blanket aside and carefully climbed out of bed.
The moment both feet touched the floor, her knees weakened slightly. She instinctively reached for the bedside table, steadying herself before she could stumble.
Zihan's relaxed expression disappeared instantly. He tossed the towel onto a nearby chair and crossed the room in a few quick strides. "Does it hurt?" he asked, his brows knitting together with concern.
Guo Min looked up at him and smiled reassuringly.
"Not that much, It's just... it's been a while." She smiled.
His expression softened, though the concern remained. "I'm sorry."
She reached up and lightly pinched his cheek. "What are you apologizing for?"
"You should've rested longer."
"I wanted to." She smiled teasingly. "But someone insisted on keeping me company."
A faint cough escaped him as he looked away for a second. "...Fair enough."
Seeing his rare moment of embarrassment, Guo Min chuckled.
She gave him a pinch on his nose "You are so cute". Before turning toward the bathroom. "I'm going to take a shower". She disappeared into the bathroom, leaving the door slightly ajar.
Behind her, Zihan sighed quietly before shaking his head with a helpless smile.
"... Cute?". He raised a brow in surprise. "Even more doesn't call me that anymore". He mumbled.
A few minutes later, the bathroom door opened.
Fresh from her shower, Guo Min stepped out with a towel draped over her damp hair. She had changed into a matching set of undergarments and walked toward the walk in closet to choose an evening gown for the banquet.
Before she could browse for long, she noticed Zihan quietly watching her from the edge of the bed.
He had already finished getting dressed.
His charcoal-black suit fit him perfectly, and his hair, now neatly styled, gave him his usual composed and refined appearance.
She raised an eyebrow. "What's wrong?"
Zihan hesitated for a moment. "...I bought you a dress." He paused before adding, "I just don't know if you'll like it."
Guo Min looked at him for a few seconds before a smile tugged at her lips. "Alright, If it's my style, I'll wear it."
She had barely finished speaking when Zihan stood up and walked out of the room and returned moments later.
But instead of one bag he returned with armfuls of shopping bags.
Designer bags.
Gift boxes.
Accessory cases.
He carefully placed every single one of them on the floor until they formed a small mountain.
Guo Min stared at the pile, then slowly looked back at him. "...Zihan."
"Yes?"
"You said...". She pointed at the mountain of bags. "...a dress."
Zihan nodded seriously. "I did."
She blinked. "...This doesn't look like a dress."
"It includes shoes, handbags, jewelry and a few other things I thought would suit you." He spoke as if it was a fact and Guo Min didn't know whether to laugh or sigh.
She crouched beside the bags and opened the first one and Inside was an elegant evening gown... Opened another and there were a pair of heels.... Another which contained a matching clutch
Not bothering to open the rest she slowly looked up at him again. "...You didn't buy the whole store, did you?".
Zihan thought for a moment. "... No, only what I thought would look good on you, you are beautiful so I find it hard to pick only one that looks good on you". He paused. "Besides it's good that you have choices".
She covered her face with one hand. "You are unbelievable, President Zhu."
Fully dressed for the evening, Guo Min picked up her clutch and gave herself one last look in the mirror before walking back into the main office.
She sat on the sofa and crossed one leg over the other, trying to fasten the strap of her heels. After a few unsuccessful attempts, she let out a quiet sigh.
Watching her struggle, Zihan walked over. "Let me." He knelt on one knee before her, gently taking her foot into his hands.
His movements were careful and unhurried as he adjusted the strap before fastening the buckle securely, he looked up at her. "Is it comfortable?, or should I loosen it a little?"
Guo Min tested the fit by moving her foot slightly before smiling. "It's perfect, thank you."
Just as Zihan was about to stand, Guo Min's hand reached out almost instinctively. Her fingers slipped into his hair, gently ruffling it.
He paused.
A small smile appeared on his face as he leaned into her touch. "Tell me something." He looked up at her. "Is this your love language... or is my hair simply that fluffy?"
"Well...". Her words were cut short with a knock and click of the door.
"Madam, the banquet is about to...". Xiao Mei stopped mid sentence. Her eyes widened at the scene
There sat the usually dignified President Zhu on one knee before her boss, looking entirely at ease.
For a brief second, the room was completely silent.
Realizing someone had walked in, Zihan calmly lifted Guo Min's hand from his hair before rising to his feet as though nothing unusual had happened. "We'll be there shortly," he said evenly.
Xiao Mei blinked twice before hurriedly lowering her head. "Y...Yes, Mada... President Zhu". Without waiting another second, she quietly closed the door behind her.
The instant she stepped into the hallway, she covered her mouth to suppress a grin.
Grandeur Serene Grand Opening Banquet.
The ballroom doors slowly opened. Soft orchestral music floated through the magnificent hall as conversations gradually quieted.
Crystal chandeliers illuminated the vast ballroom, their light reflecting against marble floors and towering glass walls that overlooked the beautifully lit Grandeur Serene resort.
Executives, government officials, foreign investors, media representatives, hotel owners, airline executives, tourism authorities. Almost every influential figure in the industry had accepted the invitation.
A MC stepped onto the stage. "Ladies and gentlemen... It is our honor to welcome you to the official opening banquet of Grandeur Serene." Polite applause echoed across the hall. "And now... Please welcome the President of Serene Hotels... Mrs. Guo Min."
The applause grew louder and the grand staircase lit up. Guo Min descended gracefully in her evening gown, one hand lightly resting on the polished railing. Every step was poised and elegant.
Behind her walked Zhu Zihan.
His expression remained calm as always, one hand tucked into his pocket while the other naturally rested behind Guo Min's back, subtly guiding her whenever she descended another step.
Whispers immediately spread throughout the ballroom. "That's President Zhu...".
"So the rumors about them reconciling were true."
"They look so good together." Camera flashes erupted one after another.
Once they reached the stage, Guo Min accepted the microphone and smiled warmly. "Good evening, everyone."
"First of all... Thank you for taking time out of your busy schedules to celebrate this important milestone with us." She paused as the applause settled.
"When we started this dream, it wasn't only to build a business but to create places where people didn't simply stay but remember."
She turned slightly toward the enormous glass wall overlooking the illuminated resort. "Grandeur Serene is the realization of that dream. A place which can't just be called a hotel but a destination."
"A place where hospitality, culture, entertainment, wellness, and tourism exist together." Images of the resort appeared on the massive LED screen behind her.
Luxury villas, theme gardens, modern shopping streets, water attractions, Traditional Chinese architecture, performance theaters, conference centers, restaurants representing cuisines from around the world.
The audience watched attentively. "Our goal isn't only to welcome international visitors but we also want the people of China to rediscover their own country."
"We want every guest...regardless of age, background, or budget... to find a place where they belong."
A moment of silence followed, then applause.
Guo Min smiled. "Once again, Thank you".
And once again the ballroom erupted into applause, and the MC returned to the stage. "Thank you, President Guo."
"To commemorate the opening of Grandeur Serene... We invite President Guo Min and President Zhu Zihan for the ribbon cutting ceremony."
The two accepted a pair of ceremonial scissors.
Standing side by side beneath the resort's golden emblem, they exchanged a brief glance.
"Three..."
"Two..."
"One."
The ribbon was cut, golden confetti burst from the ceiling and applause thundered throughout the ballroom.
"Congratulations Guo Min". Zihan whispered.